While the time of my departure is not quite at hand it is getting closer. In anticipating my retirement in a couple of months I have asked Rev Brian Nelson to share his wisdom based on many years in ministry; especially the last fifteen years which have involved his work as an interim minister. Brian has spoken with the elders and the guidelines that follow are another part of helping us prepare for the conclusion of my ministry here. Brian will also be speaking to the church briefly on this matter November 5th and of course I will be sharing some thoughts with you along the way also. Observing these guidelines will be helpful to the church and to me as you transition to the next chapters in your journey of faith. I appreciate Brian's sharing his wisdom with us.

(From Rev. Nelson)

Throughout our adult working years, we think about and plan for our eventual retirement. A successful transition from our working years to retirement requires a lot of thoughtful planning. The same is true for a church when a long-serving senior minister retires.

We have been blessed with the service, inspiration, love, and guidance of Rev. Greg and Rev. Nancy for the past 19 years. With their announced retirement in January, Greg and Nancy will transition from their daily devotion to First Christian Church to a new life as retirees. At the same time, First Christian Church will also transition away from the services of Greg and Nancy's leadership to a new, yet unknown, senior minister. This will include the transfer of ministerial counseling, wedding, and funeral services to an interim minister, and eventually a new senior minister.

Earlier this Fall, our pastor, Rev. Greg, asked me to help. Since I retired at the end of 2000 from Federated Church in West Lafayette, I have served several Disciples churches as they moved through the transition from one called minister to the next. A vital part of that service was helping the churches deal with issues that arise during pastoral transitions. Greg had identified an issue with his retirement that he thought I could help. At his invitation, I met with him and the Elders to discuss a way to address the issue he raised.

The Alban Institute and others have done research and found that a church needs an extended interim period between one called minister and the next if the minister has been there 10 years or more. Greg has been minister here for 19 years. Research shows that if an appropriate interim is not provided, the next minister will be an "unintended interim" with a tenure of 2 years or less. That is not good for a church. A good intentional interim can reduce the likelihood that will occur. That is being cared for by the Board.

Greg has been committed to the well-being of FCC for 19 years of pastoral ministry. That commitment remains as he moves into retirement. But it will need to take new forms.

Greg told me that he and Nancy are not planning to continue participation in the life of FCC. They do not plan to attend activities at FCC. Neither plans to perform any ministerial duties with or for members of this church (counseling, hospital or crisis visits, weddings or funerals, preaching). They expect ministerial services will be provided by our interim minister and elders. This will help the new senior minister make a good start and build a strong ministry of leadership in our church.

Their plans clearly meet the requirements of our Code of Ethics as Disciples Ministers. What is not so clear-cut is their personal relationships, their friendships with members of this church. What Greg wanted was a guide for behavior by Greg and Nancy with their friends in the church that will insure the continued well-being of this church under the leadership of the next senior minister, and that should insure the personal well-being of Greg and Nancy.

Greg asked me to meet with the Elders. At that meeting, Greg and the Elders agreed to a process to address his concern. All present believed Greg and Nancy will need the help of the members of the congregation. We are asking for your participation in this assistance.

From now until Greg's last Sunday on January 7, 2018, please talk to Greg and Nancy about any and everything. Feel free to let them know your appreciation for their years of faithful ministry, personal help, and community service. Share any feelings of loss and pain of separation you experience anticipating Greg's retirement. Remember, from January 8 he will no longer be your minister, but he will still be your friend.

During January, February, and March of 2018, Greg and Nancy plan to reduce to a minimum any shared activities with friends in First Christian Church.

During April, May, and June 2018, Greg and Nancy plan to try sharing in activities with FCC friends in their new non-ministerial roles.

During the period from January 8, 2018 until one year after the new senior minister is installed, Greg and Nancy, in conversations with FCC members, plan to:

- Not discuss activities of the church;

- Not offer opinions about programs, activities, or plans of the church;

- Not comment on the leadership of the new minister.

All members of FCC are asked to help Greg and Nancy by respecting their commitment by including only non-church matters in their interactions with them.
Thank you for help.

If you have any questions or concerns, please talk to an Elder. The Elders are supporting Greg and Nancy in this process.
- Rev. Dr. Brian Nelson

Scripture of the Month

2 Corinthians 9:15

Thanks be to God for His indescribable gifts!

Rev. Greg has performed 8 different services for Leslie and I. Weddings, baptisms, funerals, hospital visits and transfers. We will miss him and Rev. Nancy.

We will be carving 30 turkeys for the 2017 LUM Thanksgiving dinner. Please sign up at the Gathering Place to donate a turkey.

Kids Club & Youth Activities for November

November 5th NO MTG

November 12th Game Night at Pizza King from 4:30-6pm

(Veteran's Mem. & 18th St.)

Pizza provided just bring money for a drink!

November 17th Movie Night at the Schluttenhofer's house

5pm-? Let me know if you need a ride.

November 26th NO MTG HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

December 2nd Christmas Parade @5:30pm. Meet in the

church parking lot at 3pm to decorate the

float. This is open to ALL AGES!

Contact Michelle at 742-4058 with any questions.

November Diaconates

November 5th

(One Service)

10am

Team Leader: Hilgediek

Serving: Hilgediek

Serving: Don Lindstrom

Serving: Lou Hill

Serving: Marsha Hill

Set Up & Clean Up: Marsha & Lou Hill

November 12th

10am

Team Leader: Hilgediek

Serving: Hilgediek

Serving: Don Lindstrom

Serving: Lou Hill

Serving: Marsha Hill

Set Up & Clean Up: Hilgediek & Lindstrom

November 19th

10am

Team Leader: Kathy Stirlen

Serving: Mike Nelson

Serving: Greg Smith

Serving: Sue Dismore

Serving: Crystal Cover

Set Up & Clean Up: Sue Dismore & Crystal Cover

November 26th

10am

Team Leader: Floyd's

Serving: Floyd's

Serving: Juanita Hobaugh

Serving: Linda Brammell

Serving: Richard Brammell

Set Up & Clean Up: Linda & Richard Brammell

THANK YOU

Dear Friends of First Christian Church

Thank you for all the support you have given to the art group. Our class has been possible because of your donations of supplies & money. We are so grateful!With Love, Kathy

Veteran's Day

In my immediate family Donna Adams had 10 Marines, 3 Army, 2 Air Force all in the military for a total of 15.

DECORATING FOR ADVENT

We will be decorating for the Advent season on November 27th and 28th (if needed) at 5:30pm. Please join us in the Sanctuary.

As Jubilee Christmas is less than 6 weeks from now, it is time to be considering how you will help with this very much need ministry we do so well. We will be hosting 35 families on jubilee day this year. I do not have the exact number of children that we will be providing toys, pajamas, socks, a fleece blanket and a stocking filled with goodies. But that number will be around 100. Please shop early this year and help reduce the stress of the committee, especially mine. The angel tree will be ready for your choosing on November 12th.

At that same time the poster will be in the gathering place for you to sign up to help on Jubilee day. For those of you that have helped on Jubilee day in the past please seriously consider helping again this year. For anyone that has never worked it in the past, please consider helping this year. The rewards are beyond words. Our guests are very grateful for our help in allowing their family to have a memorable Christmas.

Please ask any of the committee members your questions. The members are Sue & Dave Kelsey, Roberta Pilotte, Harriet Beeler and Sandie Hauser.

May God Bless you and I look forward to seeing you on Jubilee day. December 9, 2017 at 10:30 am for brunch. JUBILEE CELEBRATION WITH THE GUESTS BEGINS AT 12:00 NOON.

The Angel Tree will be up and ready for you to choose the Angel of your choice.

Sign up sheet will be available in the Gathering Place for you to sign up to be a host and provide refreshments.

December 8th

Final set up in Fellowship Hall

December 9th

Jubilee Day

Brunch for the volunteers @ 10:30am

Jubilee Celebration @ Noon

Please join us in this very rewarding time that we share what God has so generously given us.

CWF

Rummage Sale Thank You

The Rummage Sale was a big success! Thank you to the co-chairs Donna Adams, Patti Smith, and Carolyn Weedon. Also, thank you to the many people who helped with set up, sales, and clean up: Marsha Hill, Deb and John Prewett, Dee Chitty, Euleen Cory, Sandie Hauser, Roberta Pilotte, Carolyn and Steve Henry, Jane Kenney, Harriet Beeler, Matthew Stewart, Susie and Dave Kelsey, and Cindy and Don Lindstrom. Thanks also to everyone who donated, there was a good selection of merchandise.
CWF was able to raise $1542.85 for the different missions that we support.

Also, thanks to Charles West and his wife who pick up our leftovers. He is from Stockwell United Methodist church. He takes the items to an Indian reservation out west.

The Women's Retreat will soon be here! It will be at the Courtyard Marriott.
On Friday evening,
November 10, we will hear about Sharon Owen's glass works. We will also have some spa treatments and time to visit with friends.
Saturday, November 11, Deanna Brown will be our speaker. We will conclude with communion led by Deanna and Nancy Eberhard. Both Sharon and Deanna will be bringing items that you may be interested in purchasing: ornaments, jewelry, scarves, etc.

DECEMBER AND JANUARY WILL BE A COMBINED NEWSLETTER. PLEASE HAVE ALL ARTICLES TO ME BY MONDAY, NOVEMBER 27TH FOR BOTH MONTHS. THANKS, MICHELLE (mperk71@gmail.com)